Base for posts



Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

:UNITED STATES WALTER A. sneun, or BUFFALO, NEW Yoan., i

BASEy non rosas.l

Application filed July 14,

This invention relates to fence posts and similar structures which are anchored in concrete blocks or bases and more particularly to the combination with the post and anchorage block of ak conical cap fitted on the post and over the block.

W'hen a post is anchored in concrete, a small crevice always remains between the post and the concrete regardless of the care taken to avoid it. Inasmuch as this crevice collects moisture and thereby causes the post to rot or rust, the practice has been to slope the upper surface of the base so as to drain the moisture away from the post and thus reduce the quantity collected in the crevice to a minimum. The sloping of the upper surface has been accomplished, heretofore, by hand troweling without the use of a troweling guide. As a result, this surface is wavy and uneven and does not present a finished workmanlike appearance unless skilled labor is used. Furthermore, the bases of successive posts are not uniform, even with the use of skilled labor. These effects are particularly objection able in ornamental fences because of the resulting unsightly appearance of the fence and the expense required to avoid them under present practice.

The main object 0f this invention is to provide a conical cap which may be set in place in such manner as to reduce the crevice between the base and post and which, when properly positioned, facilitates the sloping of the base whereby with the use of unskilled labor, uniformity in slope of each base and of successive bases may be obtained.

The invention consists in a structural combination in which a cap is fitted upon a post anchored in a block of concrete and is pressed against the concrete while soft in order to compact it against the post and force it into full engagement with the cap, the cap being of such size that it covers only a portion of the upper surface of the base whereby the surface of the cap is available as a troweling guide for the remaining surface of the base.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a side elevation of a fence post construction utilizing the cap and shown in connection with a trowel.

Figure 2 is a central vertical section of the construction as a whole.

Figure 3 is a plan view with the post in section.

1928. Serial No, 292,887.

The conical'cap 1 is composed of any suitable material, as metal, and truncated to an extent sufficient to insure a close iit upon the post 2. The slope of the cap is preferably, y

but not necessarily, made the same as the slope of the base, inasmuch as a trowel may be readily obtained to conform to different de- Igrecs of slope between the cap and the remaining surface of the base.

In use, the cap l is fitted upon a post 2 which is properly anchored in a soft concrete base 8, and forced into contact with the coincident surface of the base. By tamping or otherwise positively forcing the cap upon the base, the concrete is compacted against the post and at the same time forced into full engagement with the cap throughout its area. Preferably the'cap is forced against the base until the concrete begins to eXude through the crevice between the cap and the post, the purpose being to fill and seal this creviceand thereby further insure against the access of moisture.

n Vith the. cap positioned in this manner, a trowel l of suitable form is utilized, this trowel being initially aligned by the cap vand drawn around the post in engagement with the capv and the remaining surface of the base to shape such surface to its final or finished form, the cap having a countersunk relation to the concrete.

The retention of the cap l upon the base 3 may be insured by forming the cap'with inturned lugs 5 which extend into the base at an angle to the vertical. Where the lugs 5 are utilized, the concrete is preferably made to fill the holes `created in the cap.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the cap when positioned in the manner described reduces the crevice between the base and post, seals the joint line of the cap and the post and at the same time effects a tighter joint and provides an easy and quick means of securing an even slope and unvarying surface throughout each base together with uniformity in slope of successive bases without the necessity of skilled labor or material expense otherwise.

Having fully described my invention, I claim:

l. The combination with a post having one end embedded in a block of soft concrete of a truncated conical cap adapted to encircle the post and engage a portion of the upper surface of the block, said cap providing a cree around the post, said cap being of a Size euch that it covers only a portion of the buse whereby it is available as a Jrroweling guide for the remaining surface of the base.

ln testimony whereof I hereby ai'ix my signature.

WALTER A. SAGUE. 

